Metal building



sept. 1, 1964 A. F. NYsTRoM ETAL 3,146,864

METAL BUILDING Filed sept. ze, 1958 'T Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept- 1, 1964 A.F. NYSTROM ETAL 3,146,864

METAL BUILDING Filed Sept. 26, 1958 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 e @e6 0J i @i 5,2/u @fm n Sept' 1, 1964 A. F. NYsTRoM ETAL 3,146,864

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METAL BUILDING Filed Sept. 26, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept 1 1964 A. F.NYs'rRoM ETAL 3,146,864

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'7 Sheets-Sheet '7 United States Patent O 3,146,864 METAL BUILDINGAibert F. Nystrom, Brookfield, Clarence S. Phippen, Cudahy, and ThomasJ. McCabe, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Inland Steel Products Company,Miiwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Fiied Sept. 26, 1958, Ser.No. 763,746 17 Claims. (Cl. 189-1) This invention relates to metalbuildings. It is especially concerned with a flexible system for theconstruction of metal buildings in which the upper framing is supportedby column members erected and positioned in excavated, back-filled,earthen cavities.

Conventional metal building construction generally requires extensiveand expensive foundation work upon which the upper structural elementsare supported. In light weight metal building construction a continuousfooting is provided to distribute concentrated loads over a sutiicientlylarge area to bring the pressure within the safe bearing capacity of thesoil or rock. Although foundations of this type are used in woodenbuilding construction, one of the earliest forms of constructionutilized vertical .columns consisting of Wooden poles driven into theground or embeded in pre-excavated holes which are suitably backfilledafter the pole has been installed. After a suicient number of poles areprovided, rafter assemblies are attached to the upper portions of thepoles and a roof constructed. Only an approximate elevation is used insetting the poles. In order to maintain a horizontal eave line the polemembers are topped by sawing when the rafter assemblies are attached. Ifdesired, metal or Wooden sheathing is installed on the sides to enclosethe interior. Buildings so fabricated are designated as pole typebuildings.

This method of construction permits the easy erection of economicalbuildings for industrial and agricultural use. Although it has beenadapted for the general construction of metal buildings, its greatestcommercial acceptance has been in the field of farm buildings. Accordingto this invention there is provided a metal building construction of thepole type having construction features which permit the simple erectionof economical, rigid frame, metal buildings by skilled or unskilledlabor with simple tools Without requiring special erectionl equipment.

This invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a simplified specific embodiment of a basic, gableroof, frame assembly employed in the metal building construction of thisinvention.

FIGURE 2 shows a complete rafter assembly which is interconnected to thecolumn members to form the intermediate building framing members.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the crown or crestconnection of the rafter assembly.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of the haunch section of the framingmember.

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the haunch assembly showing theinterrelationship of the rafter, column, and tie rod elements of theframing member to provide a rigid frame construction.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a basic rafter element.

FIGURE 7 is an elevation view of the rafter element shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view through line 8 8 of the rafterelement shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the bottom member of the columnassembly.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective View of the top member of the columnassembly.

3 ,146 ,864 Patented Slept.l 1, 1964 ICCA FIGURE ll illustrates anillustrative telescoping connection for assembling the top and bottommembers of the column assembly.

FIGURES 12 and 13 describe illustrative expedients for embedding thebottom element of the column assembly in the pre-excavated earthencavity.

FIGURE 14 is a top view o-f a purlin or girt employed in connecting theframing members illustrating the notched ends for facilitating theconnection between the framing member and purlin or girt.

FIGURE 15 is an elevation view of the purlin or girt shown in FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 is an end View of the purlin or girt shown in FIGURE 14.

FIGURES 17, 18, and 19 show progressively the steps initially employedin assembling the roof rafter members.

FIGURES 20, 2l, 22, and 23 represent schematically the outline ofvarious framing members which can be constructed employing the featuresof this invention.

In typical pole type metal building construction the column and rafterelements of the framing members, which are interconnected by purlins,girts and other girder members to form the building framework which issubsequently enclosed, are connected by pin type fittings. This means ofassembly does not have the strength obtained in so-called rigid frameassemblies which have a continuous beam action. Generally rigid frameassemblies are shop fabricated in single units of a weight and sizerequiring heavy duty erection equipment. In addition, pole type metalbuilding construction presents the problem of maintaining a horizontaleave line because the column members cannot be conveniently sawed at thejob site.

According to this invention a rigid framing member having continuousbeam action is easily assembled and adjusted at the job site byemploying the several construction features of this invention whichinclude Vadjust-` ing means for providing a horizontal eave line withoutsawing or manipulating the column elements, as well as novel haunchsection and crown connections.

Referring to the drawings, in FIGURE 1 is seen a specifiic embodiment ofa basic gable roof unit 24 feet wide with 16 foot long bay units. Theheight at the roof gable is 14 feet and the roof has a 2 inches in 12inches pitch. The unit comprises columns 1t) which are installed in anupright vertical position in excavated earthen cavities 11 andbackfilled with concrete 12. End framing member 13 is constructed bycoupling rafter members 14 and 1S at the crown and connecting the rafterassembly to the top of columns 10 to provide a rigid frame assembly. Theintermediate framing member similarly Vcomprises columns 10A joined withrafter elements 16 and 17 to provide an opposed rigid framing member.The columns of the intermediate framing members are tied together bymeans of tie rod 1S which prevents a lateral or horizontal separation atthe haunch sections of the framing members. The framework is completedby purlins 2G, sidewall girts 21, endwall girts 22, and other girdermembers such as eave girder 23. The adjacent framework unit comprisingframing members 24 and 25 joined by purlins 26, sidewall girts 27, andeave girders 28 is connected to the end framework unit to provide anintegral structure. Additional intermediate framework units can beintegrated into the assembly or the framework construction can befmished by joining an end framework unit to the assembled units. It isto be noted that a single tie rod 1S and 3i) is common to each pair ofintermediate framing members 32 and 24, and 25 and 31, which are joinedweb to web as will hereinafter be discussed.

In this invention, rafter elements or members 40 and 41 shown in FIGURES17e19 are used which consist of C channels 42 and 43. The strength ofthese channels is increased and heavy duty units provided by addinginwardly directed lip flanges 44 and 45 to flanges 46 and 47. Theterminal ends of each rafter member are provided with right triangularnotch 4S cut from web 49 of channels 42 and 43 adjacent the marginaledge of head flanges 46 and 46A. The angle at the apex of the notch isat least equal to the selected roof slope. A portion of lip flange 44equal or greater in extent than the depth of notch 48 is also removedfrom the end of channels 42 and 43. The edge of head flange 46 adjacentnotch 43 in a leg portion or web 49 is cut away an amount slightlygreater than the thickness of the sheet metal from which the raftermembers are fabricated. The apex angle formed thereby is defined by thehead flange 46 at the one end of one rafter element and a plane passingthrough the leg portion 49 converging inwardly from the terminal end ofthe element and intersecting the head flange 46. An entire length of lipflange 4S and flange 47 suflicient in extent to avoid interferencebetween flanges 47 when the rafter members are angularly displaced eachto the other to the selected roof slope angle is also removed from thechannel end. A suitable hole pattern is provided in webs 49 and flanges46 and 47 to permit the use of threaded fasteners and clips ashereinafter described. To initiate the construction of the rafterassembly the rafter members are joined at the crown connection byrotating one rafter slightly on its longitudinal axis and moving therafter elements into engagement to interlock notches 48. The rafterelements are again rotated each to the other and repositioned as shownin FIGURE 19. In this position head flange 46A of rafter member 41 layson the outside of head flange 46 of rafter member 40 and web 49A ofrafter member 41 will lay on the inside of web 49 of rafter member 40 asopposed to an internal relationship of both web and flange produced whenchannel members are conventionally nested. With the holes provided inhead flange 46 and 46A in register threaded fasteners 50 are used toconnect the rafter members. To obtain the proper roof pitch, the raftermembers are rotated about a transverse axis through the interlinkedapexes of notches 48 and 48A to the desired angle and secured in thisposition by threaded fasteners joining webs 49 and 49A through asuitable hole pattern provided therein. In standardized rafter members,the apex angle of notch 48 and 48A will be about the same as the roofslope angle and a suitable hole pattern will be pre-punched in the webso that when the joined rafter members are rotated into position thehole pattern in each of the webs will be in register at the desired roofslope angle. The ends of side flange clip S1 having an interior angleequaling the opposed roof slope angles is fastened respectively to sideflanges 47 and 47A with threaded fasteners 52 as shown in FIGURE 3.

From FIGURES 6-8 it will be seen that the terminal ends of each standardrafter element are identically formed. This eliminates the need forright hand elements and left hand elements and permits the fabricationof a single standard rafter element design which can be used for gablebuildings as well as one slope roofs. Although in the illustrativeembodiment preferred channel shaped sections are utilized in thefabrication of the rafter elements, other structural metal shapes whichhave a head flange and a depending leg portion, such as angles, Ts, etc.can be used to provide rafter elements which will mutually cooperate toform the interlocking rafter crown connection of this invention. Inusing these shapes lip flanges secured to the flange portions of theshapes are preferred but not essential. These alternative structuralsections can be assembled in various combinations to provide aninterlocking rafter assembly with or without a bottom flange, althoughit is preferred that a bottom flange connection be provided.

Single rafter units so assembled are employed as the rafter assembliesfor the end framing members of the building framework. In constructingthe intermediate rafter assemblies shown in FIGURE 2 a pair of rafterunits 60 and 6l are joined web to web employing a single set offasteners 62 which are common to both rafter units to interconnect themat the crown connection. The terminal ends of the rafter units arecoupled by means of full clip brackets 63 and 63A which span the sideflanges of the rafter elements and are fastened thereto. Tie rod 64,which preferably is installed before the rafter assembly is mounted onthe supporting column members, is fastened at its ends to clip brackets63 and 63A to complete the rafter assembly.

To install the several column members, a suitable number of excavationsare made and the bottom elements 70, as seen in FIGURE 9, of each columnset in place. The excavated cavities must be deep enough to suit localsoil and frost conditions. Generally holes 20 to 28 inches in diameterand 3 to 5 feet deep will provide satisfactory bearing for the columnmembers. To provide an approximately horizontal eave line the tops ofbottom elements are aligned at the selected elevation and held in placeby suitable expedients during the pouring of the concrete fill into theholes. For example, metal stakes 71 longitudinally mounted on thc web ofbottom element 70 as shown in FIGURE l2 are used. These stakes attachedto the bottom column element are pushed into the ground until thedesired elevation of the column element is obtained. The bottom elementis vertically plumbed and held in place by suitable bracing while theexcavation in which the column element is placed is filled with concreteor other suitable fill. To prevent settling of the assembled columnmember outwardly depending feet 72 re installed on the flange. Analternative arrangement for holding bottom element 7l) in place is shownin FIG- URE 13 wherein a horizontal channel 73 or other suitablehoriozntal bearing member is affixed to the flange and vertical bearingplate '74 attached to the terminal end of the bottom element. Thisassembly is especially adaptable for use with suitable back-fills otherthan concrete, such as dirt7 gravel, cinders, or the like, as shown, orin combination with concrete at the base of the column only.

In the illustrative embodiment, the column assemblies are fabricatedfrom C-shaped channels having the same transverse cross-sectionalconfiguration as that used in manufacturing the rafter element. Bottomelement 75 is preferably shorter than top element 76 shown in FIGURE l0.To facilitate assembling the framework the top and bottom elements areprovided with the required openings which are pre-punched. In thisembodiment top element 76, while longer, has a narrower cross sectionthan bottom element 75 in order that the former can fit within thelatter and be joined by suitable fasteners 77 passed through theregistering holes provided in the mating ends of the top and bottomelements as shown in FIGURE ll. As in the construction of the rafterassemblies employed in the end frame construction single column unitsare used, whereas double units mounted web to web are employed inconstructing the intermediate columns. Upon attaching the upper elementto the lower column element, a substantial alignment of the column topsshould result. In the event that a slight misalignment occurs slottedopenings 78 are provided in the web and side flanges at the upper end ofeach upper column element to permit whatever vertical adjustment isnecessary in the rafter assembly to achieve a horizontal eave line. Ifdesired, slotted openings can also be provided in the column endconnection of the rafter element or adjustability can be obtained bymeans of slotted openings positioned in the rafter element only.

After several column assemblies are erected, the rafter assemblies forthe basic gable unit are lifted into place and fastened to the tops ofthe columns outlining this basic unit. The holes in the web of therafter units are brought into register with the corresponding holes inthe web of the upper column element. On the end frames the rafter unitis attached to the outer face of the web of the column member and clipsused to join the adjacent side lianges of the column and rafter units.For the intermediate frames, contiguous webs 80 and 80A of the rafterassembly are positioned intermediate webs 81 and 81A of the pair ofupper column elements as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. Clip bracket 63A isloosely fastened to side flanges 83 and 83A of upper column elements S4and 84A and suitable fasteners inserted in the registering web holes. Itwill be noted that the respected slots in the side flanges of the uppercolumn element and the leg of the clip bracket have opposed slopes sothat regardless of the position of the clip bracket leg in relation tothe column side flange at the final vertical adjustment the width of theexposed opening will be only slightly greater than the diameter of thethreaded fastener. After the rafter assembly is vertically adjusted tothe proper elevation the fasteners are tightened and the assemblysecured in place. Half clips 85 and 85A are connected to adjacent columnand rafter side flanges S7 and S8, 87A and 88A to complete the frameassembly and provide a tied, rigid framing member having a continuousbeam action.

Although vertical adjustment of the rafter assembly is preferablyobtained as above described, other expedients for adjusting a columnunit to obtain a horizontal eave line can be used in conjunction withthe rafter assembly of this invention.

In order that roofing and side sheathing can be attached to theframework, the framing members are spanned by means of suitable girtsand purlins. A preferred girder element for this purpose is shown inFIGURES 14, 15, and 16. This element has a Z-shaped section which has arectangular notch 9@ cut in web 91 adjacent one of the side flanges 92.Marginal edge 93 of notch 90 adjacent side flange 92 is spaced from theinner edge of side flange 92 an amount equal to the width of lip flange94 in order to secure maximum support and is notched to an extent notless than the width of a rafter or column side flange. This structuralelement is mounted on the rafters or columns such that the upper sideflange of the rafter unit or outer side flange of the column unit entersthe notch. The marginal edges of the lip flange and notch rest on theouter face of the side flange of the framing member element. The otherside flange of the girder rests on the adjacent side flange of therafter or column. This is seen in FlGURE 3 where the preferred girderelements are used as purlins 96 and 97. To secure purlins 96 and 97 inplace clip angles 95 interconnect webs 98 and 98A of rafter units 160and 100A with the purlin web using suitable fasteners 161. This isV anintermediate rafter assembly from which the tie rod has been omitted forthe purposes of simplicity. The paired rafter units 100 and 192 and IMAand 102A are connected at the crown as` heretofore described. Theassembly is further integrated by employing fasteners 101 as a connectorcommon to the opposed rafter elements as well as the mounting clip 95used to join purlin 103 to the rafter assembly. The various framingelements such as clips, purlins, girts, etc. are provided with slots topermit adjustment due to slight irregularities in column positions.

In order to complete the framework construction additional `framingelements are generally employed. Added column assemblies 104 areincluded -in the end rigid framing members, as shown in FIGURE l, andattached to the rafter assembly at the bottom side flange of the rafterelement by suitable clips. The several column assemblies used in the endrigid framing members are spanned by suitable sidewall girts 22 whichobivate the need for tie rod elements. Various arrangements of columnassemblies and girder elements can be used in order to provide opening105 which can be closed by smaller personnel service doors or largersliding doorsV which permit large units to be brought inside theinterior of the building. Openings 107 can also be provided in thesidewalls by omitting the upper and lower sidewall girts between nextadjacent framing members.

The roof, sidewalls, and end walls can be covered with various types ofconventional metal or wooden sheeting. In employing metal sheeting, selftapping metal screws are preferably used. An cave purlin 105, A havingthe configuration shown in FIGURE 4 is preferably employed to permitfastening the roof panels and sidewalls panels, orto suspend a slidingdoor assembly. In the illustrative specific embodiment shown in FIGURE 1eave purlins 23 are employed to connect the peripheral columns employedin assembling the framework.

The basic framework provides a gable roof unit which can be modified bythe addition of lean-to units which extend outwardly from the basicunit. The rafter elements employed are the same as those utilized infabricating 'the rafter assembly for the basic unit. One or more leantounits can be added to a single side or each side of thebasic unit toprovide symmetrical or asymmetrical designs as shown in FIGURES 20 to23. If desired, the roof line overhang can Vbe extended by a canopy 109cantilevered yfrom the peripheral columns and transversely connected bystandard girder elements as shown in FIGURE l. As in the connectionbetween the column assembly and the rafter assembly of the basic gableroof unit, the lean-to rafter elements and canopy rafter are interposedbetween the webs of the column assemblies. A further modification can bemade to provide basic gable roof units having opposed roof portions withdifferent slopes.

The structural elements employed in the metal building framework of thisinvention are yfabricated from conventional materials of constructionsuch as aluminum or steel. Thel illustrated column, rafter, and girderunits were formed by conventional sheet metal working techniques fromrelatively light gauge, viz. 16 gauge, sheet steel. Other gauges,however, can be used depending upon the service requirements of thebuilding. Standard size bolts are used to secure the structural system.In completing the building construction corner closure angles can beused for trimming out the corner of the building. Ridge cover flashingsecured by suitable fasteners is employed to enclose the open seam atthe crown of the basic unit. Roof fascia can also be utilized to coverthe joint between the roof line and end wall sheathing.

Although the hereindescribed building has been designed for use withunfinished earthen floors, concrete or other type flooring systems caneasily be installed in the conventional manner.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the specificembodiments of this invention that various modifications can be made ofthe various structural elements involved without departing from thescope of this invention. Although the various construction features ofthis invention have particular application in the erection of pole-typebuildings, they can be used separately or in combination with each otheror other types of structural elements in the fabrication of other typesof rigid frame as well as non-rigid frame buildings. For example, singleslope roof buildings can be constructed utilizing several of the subjectconstruction features; the rafter unit crown connection has applicationin a variety of building designs; multiple span buildings can beassembled. In this latter variation the hole pattern provided in theillustrated rafter and upper column elements is such that standardizedelements or piece parts can be used without requiring a different holepattern for the valley connection at the column members. Accordingly,the subject invention is to be Ylimited only in the manner defined bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A tied, rigid, metal building frame construction having a continuousbeam action which comprises a pair of spaced, upright metal columns, adouble pitched rafter assembly mounted between said columns, and a tierod interconnecting said columns and said rafter assembly whereby arigid framing member is provided, said columns being adapted for atleast partial subterranean installation in an excavated cavity, meansfor vertically adjusting said rafter assembly into position, said rafterassembly comprising a pair of oppositely pitched rafters, each rafterbeing fabricated from a pair of C-shaped structural metal channelsections joined web to web and being provided with an end connectionfastened to the terminal end of a cooperating top of one of said columnsat the flanges and throughout the width of web section of the C-shapedstructural elements of the rafter to form a rigid haunch section, afixed crown connection which permits the transmission of stresses acrossthe flanges and webs of said rafters, and said tie rod beinginterconnected at the haunch section of' said frame to form a tied,fixed, rigid frame whereby horizontal separation of said haunch sectionsis prevented.

2. A tied, rigid, metal building frame construction having a continuousbeam action which comprises a pair of spaced, upright metal columns, adouble pitched rafter assembly mounted between said columns, and a tierod interconnecting said columns and said rafter assembly whereby arigid framing member is provided, said columns comprising a bottomcolumn element adapted for at least partial subterranean installation inan excavated earthen cavity and an upper column element, each columnelement being fabricated respectively from a pair of C- shapedstructural metal channel sections joined web to web, said upper columnelement being connected to said bottom element, means for verticallyadjusting said rafter assembly into position, said rafter assemblycomprising a pair of oppositely pitched rafters at the desired roofslope, each rafter being fabricated from a pair of C-shaped structuralmetal section elements joined back to back and being provided with anend connection fastened to the terminal end of a cooperating uppercolumn element of one of said columns at the flanges and throughout thewidth of the web section of the C-shaped structural metal channelsections of the rafter and upper column element to form a rigid haunchsection, said rafters having a fixed crown connection which permitstransmission of stresses across the flanges and webs of said rafters,and said tie rod being interconnected at the haunch section of saidframe to form a tied, fixed, rigid frame whereby horizontal separationof said haunch sections is prevented.

3. A tied, rigid, metal building frame construction having a continuousbeam action which comprises a pair of spaced, upright metal columns, adouble pitched rafter assembly mounted between said columns, and a tierod interconnecting said columns and said rafter assembly whereby arigid framing member is provided, said columns comprising a bottomcolumn element adapted for at least partial subterranean installation inan excavated earthen cavity and an upper column element, each part beingfabricated respectively from a pair of C-shaped structural metal channelsections joined web to web, said upper column element being connected tosaid bottom column element, means for vertically adjusting said rafterassembly into position, said rafter assembly comprising a pair ofoppositely pitched rafters at the desired roof slope, each rafter beingfabricated from a pair of C-shaped structural metal channel sectionsjoined web to web and being provided with an end connection fastened tothe terminal end of a cooperating upper column element of one of saidcolumns throughout the flanges and the width of the webs of the C-shapedstructural metal channel sections of the rafter and upper columnelement, the other end of said rafter being provided with a crownconnection wherein the terminal end of each element of the rafter ofsaid crown connection comprises an inwardly converging triangular notchin the web of the element adjacent the upper flange thereof, the apex ofsaid angle being not less than the angle of the roof slope, the lowerflange of said element being removed for a distance at least coextensivewith the depth of said notch, the notches of the adjacent oppositelypitched rafter elements being interlocked to position the terminalportion of the upper flange of one rafter element on the outer surfaceof the upper flange of the other rafter element and the web of said onerafter on the inner surface of the web section of said other rafter,means for fastening said rafters at said crown connection to permit thetransmission of stresses across the llanges and webs of said rafters,and said tie rod being interconnected to the haunch section of saidframe to form a tied, fixed, rigid frame whereby horizontal separationof said haunch sections is prevented.

4. A tied, rigid, metal building frame construction which comprises apair of spaced, upright metal columns, a double pitched rafter assemblymounted between said columns, and a tie rod interconnecting said columnsand said rafter assembly whereby a rigid framing member is provided,said columns comprising a bottom column element adapted for at leastpartial subterranean installation in an excavated earthen cavity and anupper column element, each column element being fabricated respectivelyfrom a pair of C-shaped structural metal channel sections joined web toweb, said upper column element being connected to said bottom part, thestructural metal channels of said upper column element slidablyinterltting with the opposed structural metal channel sections of saidbottom column element, the contiguous surfaces of said structuralelements closely engaging each with the other, means for verticallyadjusting said rafter assembly into position, said rafter assemblycomprising a pair of oppositely pitched rafters at the desired roofslope, each rafter being fabricated from a pair of C-shaped structuralmetal channels and being provided with an end connection fastened to theterminal end of a cooperating upper column element of one of saidcolumns at the flanges throughout the width of the web section of theC-shaped structural metal channel sections of the rafter and uppercolumn element, the other end of said rafter being provided with a crownconnection wherein the terminal end of each element of the rafter ofsaid crown connection comprises an inwardly converging triangular notchin the web of the element adjacent the upper flange thereof, the apex ofsaid angle being not less than the angle of the roof slope, the lowerllange of said element being removed for a distance at least coextensivewith the depth of said notch, the notches of the adjacent oppositelypitched rafter elements being interlocked to position the terminalportion of the upper flange of one rafter element on the outer surfaceof the upper flange of the other rafter element and the web of said onerafter on the inner surface of the web section of said other rafter,means for fastening said rafters at said crown connection to permit thetransmission of stresses across the flanges and webs of said rafters,and said tie rod being interconnected to the haunch section of saidframe to form a tied, fixed, rigid frame whereby horizontal separationof said haunch sections is prevented.

5. An end frame in accordance with claim 4 in which the structuralsections of the upper column elements of said columns are slidablyfitted within the opposed structural sections of the bottom columnelements of said columns.

6. A building frame in accordance with claim 4 in which said means foradjusting said rafter assembly includes a column being provided withslotted apertures adjacent the free terminal end which register withopenings in the end connection of said rafter assembly.

7. A rafter assembly for metal frame building construction comprising apair of rafter elements oppositely pitched to a desired gabled roofslope, each rafter element being fabricated from a structural metalsection having a head flange and a depending leg portion and beingprovided with an end connection adapted for fastening said rafterelement to an upright column member, the other end of each rafterelement being provided with an inwardly converging triangular notchadjacent said head flange, the apex angle of said notch being not lessthan the roof slope, said oppositely pitched rafter elements beingjoined at the crown connection wherein the notches of the rafterelements are interlocked to position the terminal portion of the headflange of one rafter element on the outer surface of the upper flange ofthe other rafter element and the depending leg portion of said onerafter element on the inner surface of the depending leg portion of saidother rafter element, and means for fastening said rafters at said crownconnection to permit the transmission of stresses across the flange andleg portion of said rafters and provide a continuous beam action.

S. A rafter assembly for metal frame building construction whichcomprises a pair of rafter elements oppositely pitched to a desiredgabled roof slope, each rafter element being fabricated from a C-shapedstructural metal channel section and being provided With an endconnection adapted for fastening said rafter element to an uprightcolumn member, the other end of each rafter element being provided withan inwardly converging triangular notch adjacent said head flange, theapex angle of said notch being not less than the roof slope, the lowerflange of said structural metal section being removed for a distance atleast coextensive with the depth of said notch, said oppositely pitchedrafter elements being joined at the crown connection wherein the notchesof the rafter elements are interlocked to position the terminal portionof the head flange of one rafter element on the outer surface of theupper flange of the other rafter element and the depending leg portionof said one rafter element on the inner surface of the depending legportion of said other rafter element, and means for fastening saidrafters at said crown connection to permit transmission of stressesacross the flange and leg portion of said rafters and provide acontinuous beam action.

9. A rafter assembly for metal frame building construction whichcomprises a first pair of rafter elements oppositely pitched to adesired gabled roof slope, each rafter element being fabricated from aC-shaped structural metal channel section and being provided with an endconnection adapted for fastening said rafter element to an uprightcolumn member, the other end of each rafter element being provided withan inwardly converging triangular notch adjacent said head flange, theapex angle of said notch being not less than the roof slope, the lowerflange of said structural metal section being removed for a distance atleast coextensive With the depth of said notch, said oppositely pitchedrafter elements being joined at the crown connection wherein the notchesof the rafter elements are interlocked to position the terminal portionof the head flange of one rafter element on the outer surface of theupper flange of the other rafter element and the depending leg portionof said one rafter element on the inner surface of the depending legportion of said other rafter element, a second pair of rafter elementsjoined in the same manner as said first pair, said first and secondpairs being connected web to web, and means for fastening said first andsecond pairs of rafter elements at said crown connection to permit thetransmission of stresses across the flanges and webs of said rafterelements and provide a continuous beam action.

1 lt). A rafter assembly in accordance with claim 9 including a tie rodinterconnecting the free terminal ends of said assembly.

1l. A roof rafter element comprising a structural metal channel sectionelement having a web and flanges depending therefrom, one end of saidelement being provided with an inwardly converging, right triangularnotch in said web of the structural section having the side of saidnotch adjacent the apex angle thereof contiguous with one of saidflanges, the apex angle of said notch being not less than a desired roofslope, the other side flange being removed for a distance at leastcoextensivc l@ with the depth of said notch, and means provided in saidside flanges and web for interconnecting said rafter with adjacentrafter elements to provide a continuous beam action.

12. A roof rafter element in accordance with claim 1l in which theterminal ends thereof are substantially identical.

13. A column structure for metal frame construction which comprises abottom column element adapted for at least partial subterraneaninstallation in an excavated earthen cavity and a top column element,each part being fabricated respectively from a C-shaped structural metalchannel section, said upper column element being connected to saidbottom part, the structural section elements of said upper columnelement slidably interfitting with the opposed structural sectionelements of said bottom elements, the contiguous surfaces of saidstructural elements closely engaging each with the other, slottedapertures being provided in the web and inclined slotted apertures beingprovided in the side flanges of said upper element adjacent the freeterminal end.

14. A column structure in accordance with claim 13 in which the uppercolumn element of said column is slidably fitted within the opposedlower column element.

15. A rigid, metal building frame construction which comprises a pair ofspaced, upright metal columns, a double pitched rafter assembly mountedbetween said columns, and a tie rod interconnecting said columns andsaid rafter assembly whereby a rigid framing member is provided, saidcolumns being adapted for at least partial subterranean installation inan excavated earthen cavity, means for vertically adjusting said rafterassembly into position, said rafter assembly comprising a first pair ofrafter elements, each rafter element being fabricated from a structuralmetal section having a head flange and a depending leg portion and beingprovided with an end connection adapted for fastening sm'd rafterelement to an upright column member, the other end of each rafterelement being provided with an inwardly converging triangular notchadjacent said head flange, the apex angle of said notch being not lessthan the roof slope, said oppositely pitched rafter elements beingjoined at the crown connection wherein the notches of the rafterelements are interlocked to position the terminal portion of the headflange of one rafter element on the outer surface of the upper flange ofthe other rafter element and the depending leg portion of said onerafter element on the inner surface of the depending leg portion of saidother rafter element, a second pair of rafter elements joined in thesame manner as said first pair, said first and second pairs beingconnected leg to leg, the end connections being aflixed to cooperatingcolumn members to form a rigid haunch section, and means for fasteningsaid first and second rafter pairs at said crown connection to permitthe transmission of stresses across the flanges and legs of saidrafters, and said tie rod being interconnected adjacent the haunchsection of said frame to form a tied, fixed, rigid frame wherebyhorizontal separation of said haunch sections is prevented.

16. A rafter assembly having a pair of rafter elements adapted to beoverlapped at their adjacent ends to provide a continuous beam action,each of said rafter elements comprising a structural metal sectionhaving a flange and a depending leg portion, one end of said elementbeing provided with a notch defined by the flange at the one end of saidelement and a plane passing through said leg portion converging inwardlyfrom the terminal end of said element and intersecting said flange, saidnotches permitting said flanges and said leg portions of said pair ofrafter elements to be overlapped, and means for securing said pair ofrafter elements to each other at their overlapped adjacent ends.

17. A roof rafter element comprising a structural metal section having ahead flange and a depending leg portion which are adapted to overlap anadjacent head flange and an adjacent depending leg portion,respectively, of an adjacent rafter element to provide a continuous beamaction, one end of said rafter element having a notch delined by thehead flange at the one end of said element and a plane passing throughsaid leg portion and converging inwardly from the terminal end of saidelement and intersecting said head liange, the apex angle formed by saidnotch being not less ythan a desired roof slope and means in said headange and leg portion for interconnecting said rafter element with anadjacent rafter element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSSemonin Apr. 24, 1926 Lindsay Dec. 10, 1935 Rafter Sept. 6, 1938 RafterSept. 6, 1938 Henning Feb. 4, 1941 Mayne et al May 6, 1941 McDonald Nov.10, 1942 McDermott Jan. 25, 1944 Arehart et al. Sept. 23, 1952 Hield etal. Dec. 10, 1957

1. A TIED, RIGID, METAL BUILDING FRAME CONSTRUCTION HAVING A CONTINUOUSBEAM ACTION WHICH COMPRISES A PAIR OF SPACED, UPRIGHT METAL COLUMNS, ADOUBLE PITCHED RAFTER ASSEMBLY MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID COLUMNS, AND A TIEROD INTERCONNECTING SAID COLUMNS AND SAID RAFTER ASSEMBLY WHEREBY ARIGID FRAMING MEMBER IS PROVIDED, SAID COLUMNS BEING ADAPTED FOR ATLEAST PARTIAL SUBTERRANEAN INSTALLATION IN AN EXCAVATED CAVITY, MEANSFOR VERTICALLY ADJUSTING SAID RAFTER ASSEMBLY INTO POSITION, SAID RAFTERASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY PITCHED RAFTERS, EACH RAFTERBEING FABRICATED FROM A PAIR OF C-SHAPED STRUCTURAL METAL CHANNELSECTIONS JOINED WEB TO WEB AND BEING PROVIDED WITH AN END CONNECTIONFASTENED TO THE TERMINAL END OF A COOPERATING TOP OF ONE OF SAID COLUMNSAT THE FLANGES AND THROUGHOUT THE WIDTH OF WEB SECTION OF THE C-SHAPEDSTRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE RAFTER TO FORM A